The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-04-08
The Place Of the Skull.
A TRAVELLERS VISIT To NKw GuISEA's
doLoorHA--A HIDEoUs HEATuEN
TEMPLE.


The temple, for native building,
was really good. In front was the
large platform, and Immediately under
the great high peak in front was a
large veraDda, on which the men sat,
sheltered from the sun and rain. Ris-
ing from the veranda, were three large
posts, supporting the peak, about
eighty feet high. Standing just inside
these posts he looked down an aisle
nearly 200 feet in length. All down
either side was hung with what seem.
ed like splendid silk curtains, aud these
were made from the young frond of
the sage palm split up when quite new.
The flooring on the aisle, two feet
broad, appeared TO be dark stained,
highly polished wood and carved with
figures of men. crocodiles and casso.
varies; this was made from the skin
of the sago palm, and received i,s
high polish from the blood of victims
dragged along to the end where the
most sacred place was, and the con
stant tread OF numerous feet. Inside
the whole place was divided into CON-
partments, in each Of which were fires,
where the owners spent much time in
eating and sleeping
In a large open space near the sac
red place where pins to hang skulls on.
These during their visit were down be-
ing cleaned and dressed; and having a
compartment close by, he had a good
opportunity of seeing tbem-in fact,
some being too new, he found a diff
Guilty getting through his light dinner.
The skulls were all carved, aud done
over with many oolors. A feast would
soon be on, and the heaps of skulls
would disappear, because all would
find their places on the skullery pins.
The head gear once belonged to in
land natives, who were killed, brought
into the dubu, presented to the gods,
then cooked and eaten.
The length of the temple wss nearly
200 feet. The floor was quite level,
but the roof tapered from the high
peak until at the farther end it was not
more than nine feet high. At that
end there was an inclosure which no
native went near, and he was anxious
to know what was inside. He was
told not to go neal, as it was very sac
red and death would be the fate of
any who attempted to enter, except
those whose duty it was. His inter-
prefer and his frierd would not come
near and ne begged the chief to allow
him to enter. He kept some distance
off aud begged him to remain outside.
His interpreter, seeing his great de-
sire TO enter, told them he (Mr. Chal-
mers) was a queer fellow, went every
where, saw everything and no harm
came to him, and perhaps it would be
90 now. He was allowed on that TO
enter, but no one would accompany
him. When his eyes became accus.
toned to the darkness he saw six
wicker made gods with mouths like
frogs, enormously large and open, the
body of ducong, measuring about
feet in length and 7 feet high. Alto
getber they we're hideous looking
things.
He put his hand into the mouth of
one, and was somewhat startled when
out flew dozens of small bats, which
disturbed those in the other images,
and soon the whole place was full.
Outside they were in great consterna-
ton and begged him to retreat, as lie
would certainly die. He told them
he was all right, and when he had seen
little more he should return to them.
The following morning he again en-
tered with one of the sorcerors whose
duty it was to attend therein. His in
terpreter was just outside, coming near
er than the day before, and the old
man who accompanied him told him
that they, the images, were very sac
red and called Kaniba. Before going
to fight they were consulted, and also
in sickness, death or trouble. Bodies
of the stays, pigs, arm-shells, and other
valuables were presented to them.
Bodies Of the slain were dragged down
the long aisle and placed just outside,
near to the partition, where they were
left for some time, then dragged to the
outside and disposed of. The idols
were greatly feared and no one even
spoke disrespectfullv of them-Es-
plorer in London Times.